Equipment transporter and storage module

ABSTRACT

Capable of withstanding minimum forces of 300G and frequencies from zero to 50 Hz, the invention comprises a light weight, reusable, humidity controlled, controlled breathing, shipping and storage container with removable access doors at both ends. A carriage is suspended inside the exterior container by means of shock and vibration isolators. The carriage carries two or more shelves, the top shelf being hinged at both ends of the container at the doors to permit easy access to the lower shelf.

United States Patent [191 Underwood'et a1.

[ EQUIPMENT TRANSPORTER AND STORAGE MODULE [75] Inventors: PaulUnderwood, Garden Grove;

Douglas A. Miller, Playa del Rey, both of Calif.

[73] Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company, Culver City, Calif.

[22] Filed: Sept. 30, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 185,215

[52] US. Cl 312/31, 220/1.5, 217/55 [51] Int. Cl. A24f 25/00 [58] Fieldof Search 220/15; 248/358 A, 248/358 AA; 217/52-55; 296/46 FR; 312/31[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS Fesmire et a1. 220/1.5Krellen 220/l.5 X

[451 Aug. 28, 1973 3,499,694 3/1970 Coppel 22071.5 X

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 157,280 12/1904 Germany 217/55 Pr mer? rmin fl mss C Mitchell Attorney-W. H. MacAllister and L. B. Sternfels 57] ABSTRACT Capable of withstanding minimum forces of 3006 andfrequencies from zero to 50 Hz, the invention comprises a light weight,reusable, humidity controlled, controlled breathing, shipping andstorage container with removable access doors at both ends. A carriageis suspended inside the exterior container by means of shock andvibration isolators. The carriage carries two or more shelves, the topshelf being hinged at both ends of the container at the doors to permiteasy access to the lower shelf.

24 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures Patented Aug. 28, 1973 3,754,803

4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. l.

Patented Aug 28, 1973 3,754,803

4 Sheets- Sheet 2 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Aug. 28, 1973 EQUIPMENTTRANSPORTER AND STORAGE MODULE I The present invention relates to areusable equipment transporter and storage module and, moreparticularly, to such a module capable of temporarily storing and movingsensitive, high unit cost material for transport by aircraft, truck,forklift, ship, overhead lift, etc., or by hand.

Conventional methods of transporting equipment, including delicateinstruments, have required the use of individual or collective packagingof such equipment in boxes or containers utilizing various impactcushioning materials, such as horsehair, polyurethane, and bubbles inplastic. Especially for delicate equipment, packaging specialists arerequired. Such packaging is generally expensive in order to preventdamage to the goods from shock and vibration or from such environmentalcontamination as as dust, dirt, sunshine, ozone, humidity and fungus. Asstated above, conventional packaging techniques require individualhandling of components which then may be secured to pallets or the likefor transport. Upon receipt of such equipment, the packages are removedfrom the pallets and broken open thereby leading to greater packagingexpense since, at least, the packages are no longer usable. Moreover, insuch cases where equipment is packaged in the same container, improperinstallation or unobserved deterioration or damage to hold downequipment can cause great damage to the other contents; therefore,instruments have been historically packaged individually prior toinstallation in an over-pack. Some containers are specially designed tohouse specific equipment and are resuable. The problem with suchspecialized containers is that they are useful only for the equipmentfor which they were designed. If similar equipment were not to bereshipped, the containers would have to be returned empty or storeduntil needed. In either case, such specialty, reusable containers arecostly to'use and maintain.

The present invention overcomes these and other problems by providing anevironmentally protective, shock and impact hardened, reusable modularcontainer which generally is generally usable for packaging severaldifferent and otherwise unprotected equipment. Briefly, the presentinvention comprises a sealable container of lighweight material withprovision for controlled internal environment, such as protection frompressure variations, humidity, ozone, and fungus. Removable access doorsare provided preferably at pposed ends of the container, although themodule may be embodied as a container housing secured to a base.Suspended within the container by elastomeric-type shear mounts orcable-type isolators is a carriage with two or more layers of shelves.The top shelf layer is hinged at the ends adjacent the doors, if doorsare used, to permit easy access to the lower shelf. The removable accessdoors at opposed ends are scalable and lockable to the container toprovide an airtight enclosure. The interior of the container may behumidifed as desired, such as by a dessicant, pressurized or providedwith breather apparatus, as desired, or provided with any desiredatmosphere. The containers are of modular design and several may bestacked.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a novelequipment transport and storage contamer.

Another object is the provision of a modular container.

Another object is the provision of a reusable container.

Another object is to provide such a container which is environmentallyprotectable from shock, vibration, dust, dirt, sunshine, ozone,humidity, fungus, etc.

Another object is a provision of stackable, fully loaded containers.

Another object is to provide such a container which avoids individualpackaging of equipment.

Another object is to provide such a container having means forpressurization and pressure relief, dessication, drainage, and purging.

Another object is to provide such a container which is adaptable toconventional transportation handling techniques.

Other aims and objects, as well as a more complete understanding of thepresent invention, will appear from the following explanation ofexemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings thereof, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, with the housing partially broken awayshowing interior portions of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a manual carrying attachment taken alonglines 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of the door locking device for FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5-7 are respectively side, front, and top elevational views of asecond embodiment of the present invention with portions thereof cutaway to illustrate certain internal components thereof;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of an edge attachment taken along lines 8-8of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view of a portion of the side panel takenalong lines 9-9 of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a portion of the door frame and doorlatching mechanism taken along lines l0l0 of FIG. 6 with the door inlatching engagement;

FIG. 11 is a view of the latching mechanism of FIG. 10 prior to latchingengagement;

FIGS. 12a and 12b are respectively side and edge views of the latchinghandle depicted in FIGS. 10 and 11; and

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the carriage-of the secondembodiment.

Accordingly, with reference to FIGS. I4 and, in particular, FIGS. 1 and2, an equipment transporter and storage module or container 20 comprisesa top panel 22, a bottom panel 24, two side panels 26 and 28, front andback door frames 30 and 32, and front and rear doors 34 and 36. In FIG.2, portions of top panel 22 and side panel 28 and all of front door 34have been completely removed in order to provide an interior view ofcontainer 20. The panels may be reinforced as by polelike supports 37shown on side panel 26. The container is mounted on a conventionalyformed forklift base 38 having openings 40 therein for reception offorks of a forklift truck. All materials are made of a light weightmaterial, such as aluminum, and may be secured together in anyconvenient means such as bolts 41 or bonding. Securement is such thatthe interior of modular container 20 is airtight.

As an alternate means for temporary lifting of container 20, a pair ofmanual lifts 42 are secured to side panels 26 and 28. Each manual liftincludes a pair of slideable rods 44, as also shown in FIG. 3, which areextendable from ends 46 of the lift. Depending upon whether they are inuse or not in use, rods 44 are lockable in either their retracted orextended positions by a spring loaded detent 48 manipulable by a handle50, which is moveable downwardly towards base 38. Detent 48 fits withinone of two notches 52 in each rod. The notches are so placed along rods44 so as to lock the rods in their retracted positions or in theirextended positions. Downward movement of handle 50 withdraws detent 48from notch 52 to release the rod for extension or retraction.

Also secured to side panels 26 and 28 are lifting rings 54 and tie-downrings 56 which are screwed or bolted into or otherwise attached orbonded to their respective panels. Therefore, container 20 may be liftedby a crane or like means by use of rings 54 or tied down to atransporting vehicle by means of its rings 56.

For stacking purposes, a plurality of male protuberances 58 may besecured to top panel 22 for reception in mating female means in base 38.However, they may be omitted when desired, for example, if stacking isstaggered.

Doors 34 and 36 are received within their respective frames 30 and 32and abut against a door sill 60. Sealing means, such as O-rings orelastomeric tapes, placed between the doors and the sills, provide anairtight seal when the door is secured to the container. For thispurpose, two or more door latches 62, see also FIG. 4, are pivotallysecured on the door by means of a pivot 64 on which a tongue 66 isjoumaled. Tongue 66 is turnable to engage tongue end 68 with theinterior of frame 30 in order to lock and seal the door to the frame. Itis to be understood, of course, that other sealing means and lockingmeans may be used, the above specific means being set forth solely forpurposes of illustration and not for limitation.

In the interior of container 20 isa carriage 70 comprising shelf frames71 and 73 supporting a bottom shelf layer 72 and a top shelf layer 74.The frames are secured together by four upright-s or risers 76. Ifdesired, other layers of shelves may be placed intermediate the top andbottom layers. Top layer 74 comprises three sections or shelves 78, 80and 82. Center section 80 is secured to shelf frame or shelves 73 whilesections 78 and 82 are hinged at 83 to center shelf section 80 in orderto permit access to loading and unloading of bottom shelf layer 72. Asshown in FIG. 2, shelf section 78 is raised. Secured to each of themovable shelf sec tions is a springed latch mechanism 84 which isdesigned to engage openings 85 in frame 73 when sections 78 and 82 arereceived within this frame. The shelves of top and bottom layers 72 and74 may take any form, such as that shown in US. Pat. NO. 3,478,995.

Carriage 70 is shock mounted and isolated by a plurality of isolatorsgenerally designated by indicium 86. Four isolators 88 are mounted invertical position while four other isolators 90 are mounted in ahorizontal position. All isolators are secured by means of blocks 92 touprights 76 of carriage 70 and to blocks 94 on risers or standards 96and supports 98. The isolators herein described preferably comprisecoils of stranded wire cable in which each coil interconnects atadjacent points to blocks 92 and 94. Such coils may comprise thosedisclosed in any of US. Pat. Nos. 3,204,911 through 3,204,913. Suchhelical shock mounts are also described in Brochures SM6l69 and 26g5M ofthe Cable Isolator Products Division of Aeroflex Laboratories,respectively entitled Aeroflex Helical Shock Mounts and Shock/VibrationMounting Systems for Shipboard Electronic Equipment. Alternatively, thecable-type isolators as illustrated may be replaced by velastomeric-type shear mounts or other suitable means.

Secured to one or the other of side panels 26 to 28 is a humiditycontrol, such as a dessicant received within a container 100. Thus, whenequipment, such as illustrated by oscilloscope 104, is viewed withincontainer 20, the humidity can be maintained at a specific level.Furthermore, a gage 104 may be provided in one of the side panels toindicate the humidity or pressure within the sealed container. Abreather valve may be placed above door 34.

In operation, with doors 34 and 36 removed and either or both top shelfsections 78 and 82 pivoted upwardly, equipment can be loaded andsecurely strapped into position on bottom shelf 72 by use of straps 106and clamps 108, as described for example in US Pat. No. 3,478,995. Theequipment is so distributed as to obtain an approximate even balancingof weight. Thereafter, section 78 and 82 are pivoted into contact withframe 73 and locked thereto by latch mechanism 84. The proper dessicantis then placed within container and the doors are then sealed in placeby use of latches 62. Upon proper pressurization and insertion of thedesired atmosphere within container 62, the equipment is then ready forshipment.

Now referring to FIGS. 5-7 and the remaining drawings, a secondembodiment is generally indicated by numeral 110. Container or module110 comprises a pair of side panels 1 12, one of which is depicted inFIG. 5, front and back panels, of which a front panel 114 is depicted inFIG. 6, and top and bottom panels, of which'a top panel 116 is shown inFIG. 7. Interconnections between the side panels where the top and sidepanels are sealed and secured together are depicted in FIG. 8 andcomprises a corner bracket 118 to which, for example, the top and sidepanels are secured as by structural bonding, e.g., epoxy, welding orsoldering, at mating parts 119. Connections between side and bottompanels are made in a similar manner.

Furthermore, all panels are enforced preferably by a stamping operationto provide, as illustrated in FIG. 9, an upset 120 of criss-crossconfiguration. For all panels except the bottom panel, the protuberancesextend toward the exterior of panel 110 to provide maximum interiorspace. Bottom panel protuberances 120, however, extend toward theinterior so as to provide an even face for bonding of the container to aforklift base 122.

As with the embodiment of FIGS. 14, the forklift base 122 is providedwith a plurality of openings 124 for reception of the forks of theforklift.

However, unlike the first embodiment, container 110 is provided with 45angle comers at its front and back doors. These doors are set withinfront door frame 126 and rear door frame 128. Contained within theseframes are lift rings 130 and tie-rings 132 which, because of theirrecessed position, avoid hooking or otherwise damaging adjacent cargo orcontainers. Furthermore, manual carrying handles, for example,constructed in a manner similar to that of a bicycle stand, may also beplaced within these recesses.

As better shown in FIG. 10, front door frame 126 has a flange 134 whichis structurally bonded to top panel 118 by bonding, etc, as generallyindicated at 135. On its other edge, front door frame 126 is providedwith a flange 136 which is adapted for mating and latching engagementwith the front door. Between flanges 134 and 136, the door frame isrecessed inwardly to provide a bridging web 138. This bridge or web isrecessed towards the interior of modular container for use not only forsupporting rings 130 and 132 at its exterior face but also forsupporting isolation elements, as will be hereinafter described.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the front and the rear panels are locked totheir respective door frames 126 and 128 by a latching mechanismgenerally represented by numeral 140. Each door preferably utilizes sixof these latches, as shown generally in FIG. 6. Latching mechanism isincluded as part of molding fixture 142 which extends about theperiphery of the door panel. I

As best shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, flange 136 of frame 126 terminates ina generally U-shaped pocket 144 into which molding fixture 142 extends.One side of pocket 144 is formed by a flange leg 146 which presents anabutting end face 148 for contact with a mating end face 150 on fixture142. Thus, a surface 152 of flange leg 146 smoothly extends to a surface154 of molding fixture 142.

In addition, fixture 142 includes an outer flange 156, of which surface154 is a part, an inner flange 158, and an intermediate flange 160. Thethree flanges are joined by a web 162. Door panel 114 is bonded at 16335 to flange 158. Positioned between flanges 156 and 160 is a latchlever 164 (see also FIGS. 12a and 12b) which is pivotally held betweenthe outside flange and the central flange by a rivet 166 or othersuitable means. Lever 164 is beveled at one end 168 which acts as a camagainst flange leg 146 and is provided with a face 169 for enabling thelever to be flush with face 150 (see FIG. 11) when the door is to belatched to its frame. Inner flange 158 includes a rim 170 which extendsinto a recess 172 in flange 136. An O-ring 174 is disposed within recess172.

In operation, the door is moved towards'frame 126 as shown by arrow 175of FIG. 11. This action permits face 150 of fixture 142 to slide againstface 148 of flange leg 146 until rim 170 presses against O-ring 174 insealing engagement therewith. As soon as beveled surface 168 passesflange leg 146, lever 164 may be pivoted, thus permitting the cammingaction of surface 178 against flange leg 146. This camming actionfurther presses rim 170 against the O-ring to increase the sealing fitof the door to frame 126 and to lock the two together. In order tomaintain engagement of lever 14 with latching mechanism 140, a springdetent 176 residing within a recess 178 of flange 156 bears against thelever.

Now referring to FIGS. 5, 7 and 13, a carriage 180 is secured to modularcontainer 110 at front and rear door frames 126 and 128 by verticalisolators 182 and horizontal isolators 184. Carriage 180 comprises abottom frame 186 and an upper frame 188. Uprights 190 secure the upperand lower frames together. Extending outwardly from the uprights arebrackets 192 which are angled in such a manner with bridging web 138 offrames 126 and 128 as to be parallel thereto.

In a manner, like brackets 192, brackets 194 extend downwardly fromlower frame 186 and are angled to be parallel also with bridges 138 ofthe front and rear door frames. Horizontal isolators 182 are securedbetween brackets 194 and their matching bridges 138. The use of blockslike blocks 92 and 94 of FIGS. 1-4 are used to secure respective coilpoints to their frames or brackets as the case may be.

Secured to the lower frame is a layer comprising a plurality of lowershelves 196 having thereon resilient padding 19 8 for support ofequipment to be transported. In a like manner, upper frame 188 hassecured to it upper shelf layer 200 comprising shelf sections 202, 204and 206. Central shelf section 204 is rigidly secured to the upper frameby nuts and bolts 207, for example, while shelf sections 202 and 206 arepivoted to section 204 by hinges 208 to permit lifting of the uppershelves nearest the front and rear doors to permit access to shelves 196of the lower layer. A spring latch device 210 for each shelf section 202and 206 engages these sections with uprights 190 to prevent movement ofthese sections in a manner similar to that described with respect tolatches 84 and openings 85 of FIG. 2.

Although the invention has been described with reference to particularembodiments thereof, it should be realized that various changes andmodifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A reusable equipment transporter and storage module comprising:

a forklift base having opening means therein for receiving tines of aforklift truck;

a pair of opposed reinforced side walls sealed and affixed to saidforklift base;

a pair of reinforced front and rear door frames sealed and affixed tosaid forklift base and to said side walls, said door frames having doorreceiving sills;

a reinforced top sealed and affixed to said side walls and to said doorframes;

a pair of doors releasably secured to said door frames and havinglatching means engageable with said frames to secure said doors in saidframes within said sills, and sealing means positioned between saiddoors and said door frames to provide an interior compartment bounded bysaid forklift base, said side walls, said door frames, said doors, andsaid top, said compartment being sealable from the environment exteriorthereto;

dessicant, breather, and pressurizing means provided in said compartmentfor providing a desired humidity and pressure environment within saidcompartment;

a carriage resiliently suspended wholly by and within.

frame members intermediate the ends thereof, and a pair of end shelvesplaced between said frame members and positionable to rest thereon andhinged to said center shelf for movement out of the plane of said framemembers to afford access to said first layer of shelf means, and

tie down means capable of being clamped to said shelves and aboutotherwise unpackaged equipment to be carried and secured to saidshelves;

and

a plurality of shock mount means secured to and between said carriageand said compartment to provide the suspension and sole connectionbetween said carriage and said compartment and thereby to isolate saidcarriage and equipment secured thereto from shocks and vibrations onsaid compartment and otherwise damaging to the equip ment.

2. A reusable container as in claim 1 wherein said shock mount meanscomprises elastomeric shear mounts.

3. A reusable container as in claim 1 wherein each of said shock mountmeans comprises coils of stranded wire cable, each of said coilsinterconnecting adjacent points on said carriage and said compartment.

4. A reusable container for storing equipment otherwise unpackaged andunprotected from shock, vibration, humidity, degrading atmosphere, andother harmful environment comprising:

a closed compartment having means for sealing said compartment from theenvironment;

a carriage positioned in resilient suspension only by and within saidcompartment and having means securing the otherwise unpackaged andunprotected equipment to said carriage;and

shock and vibration isolation means secured to and between said carriageand said compartment to provide the suspension for isolating saidcarriage and the secured equipment from three-dimensional shock andvibration exerted on said compartment and otherwise damaging the securedequipment.

5. A container as in claim 4 wherein said carriage comprises at leasttwo shelving means having tie down apparatus securing the equipment tosaid shelving means.

6. A container as in claim 5 wherein said shelving means comprises atleast two parallel layers of shelves, a first of said layers placedbelow a-second of said layers.

7. A container as in claim 6 wherein said second layer comprises a shelffixed with respect to said carriage and at least one other shelfpivotally secured to said fixed shelf for providing easy access to saidfirst layer.

8. A container as in claim 5 wherein said carriage further comprisesrisers secured to and spacing said shelving means, at least some of saidisolation means secured to said risers for connection to saidcompartment.

9. A container as in claim 6 wherein at least a first group of saidisolation means is secured to said first layer of shelves.

10. A container as in claim 9 wherein sad carriage further comprisesrisers secured to and spacing said shelving means, at least a secondgroup of said isolation means secured to said risers, said first groupand said second group of said isolation means extending in orthogonaldirections with respect to each other.

11. A container as in claim 10 wherein said isolation means eachcomprises coils of stranded wire cable, each of said coils having anaxis extending in one of the orthogonal directions and interconnectingadjacent points on said respective risers and first layer and on saidcompartment.

12. A container as in claim 4 further including dessicant means securedto the interior of said compartment to control the humidity therein.

13. A container as in claim 4 further including valve means in saidcompartment for controlling the pressure and the atmosphere within saidcompartment.

14. A container as in claim 4 wherein said compartment comprises a base,a top, and wall enclosure means sealed and affixed together.

15. A container as in claim 14 wherein said base includes opening meanstherein for receipt of tines of a forklift truck.

16. A container as in claim 14 further including handle means secured tothe exterior of said wall enclosure means for lifting of saidcompartment, said carriage and to equipment.

17. A container as in claim 14 further including tiedown means securedto the exterior of said wall enclosure means for tying down saidcompartment, said carriage, and said equipment.

18. A container as in claim 14 wherein said wall enclosure means isreleasably secured to said base for providing access to said carriage.

19. A container as in claim 14 wherein said wall enclosure meansincludes at least one door frame having a sill and sealing meanstherein, and further including door means placeable within said frame insaid sill and sealingly engageable with said sealing means.

20. A container as in claim 19 further including latching meanscooperable with said door and said door frame for locking said door tosaid frame.

21. A container as in claim 14 further including mating protuberancesand recesses on said top and said base for engagement between tops andbases of stacked compartments.

22. A container as in claim 14 wherein said wall enclosure meansincludes a pair of parallely positioned side walls and a pair ofparallely positioned door frames secured to said side walls, and furtherincluding doors securable in said frames for providing access to opposedends of said carriage.

23. A container as in claim 22 wherein said carriage comprises at leasttwo parallel layers of shelves parallely positioned with respect to saidbase and having tie down apparatus securing the equipment to said layersand risers connecting said layers together, and wherein at least a firstgroup of said isolation means at each end of said carriage is securedbetween one of said layers and a portion of one of said door frames andat least a second group of said isolation means at each end of saidcarriage is secured to at least some of said risers, said first groupand said second group of said isolation means extending orthogonallywith respect to each other.

24. A container as in claim 23 wherein each of said door frames includesa web angularly disposed with respect to said top, base and wallenclosure means to provide beveled edges to said compartment, said webbeing recessed towards the interior of said compartment, and furtherincluding tie down and lift up means in said recessed web for enablingtransport of the container.

1. A reusable equipment transporter and storage module comprising: aforklift base having opening means therein for receiving tines of aforklift truck; a pair of opposed reinforced side walls sealed andaffixed to said forklift base; a pair of reinforced front and rear doorframes sealed and affixed to said forklift base and to said side walls,said door frames having door Receiving sills; a reinforced top sealedand affixed to said side walls and to said door frames; a pair of doorsreleasably secured to said door frames and having latching meansengageable with said frames to secure said doors in said frames withinsaid sills, and sealing means positioned between said doors and saiddoor frames to provide an interior compartment bounded by said forkliftbase, said side walls, said door frames, said doors, and said top, saidcompartment being sealable from the environment exterior thereto;dessicant, breather, and pressurizing means provided in said compartmentfor providing a desired humidity and pressure environment within saidcompartment; a carriage resiliently suspended wholly by and within saidcompartment from shock and vibrations exerted thereon, said carriagecomprising at least two layers of shelf means, a first of said layerspositioned adjacent said forklift base and a second of said layerspositioned above said first layer, uprights secured between said layersof shelf means for support thereof, said second layer of shelf meanscomprising at least two parallel frame members secured to said uprights,a center shelf secured to and between said frame members intermediatethe ends thereof, and a pair of end shelves placed between said framemembers and positionable to rest thereon and hinged to said center shelffor movement out of the plane of said frame members to afford access tosaid first layer of shelf means, and tie down means capable of beingclamped to said shelves and about otherwise unpackaged equipment to becarried and secured to said shelves; and a plurality of shock mountmeans secured to and between said carriage and said compartment toprovide the suspension and sole connection between said carriage andsaid compartment and thereby to isolate said carriage and equipmentsecured thereto from shocks and vibrations on said compartment andotherwise damaging to the equipment.
 2. A reusable container as in claim1 wherein said shock mount means comprises elastomeric shear mounts. 3.A reusable container as in claim 1 wherein each of said shock mountmeans comprises coils of stranded wire cable, each of said coilsinterconnecting adjacent points on said carriage and said compartment.4. A reusable container for storing equipment otherwise unpackaged andunprotected from shock, vibration, humidity, degrading atmosphere, andother harmful environment comprising: a closed compartment having meansfor sealing said compartment from the environment; a carriage positionedin resilient suspension only by and within said compartment and havingmeans securing the otherwise unpackaged and unprotected equipment tosaid carriage; and shock and vibration isolation means secured to andbetween said carriage and said compartment to provide the suspension forisolating said carriage and the secured equipment from three-dimensionalshock and vibration exerted on said compartment and otherwise damagingthe secured equipment.
 5. A container as in claim 4 wherein saidcarriage comprises at least two shelving means having tie down apparatussecuring the equipment to said shelving means.
 6. A container as inclaim 5 wherein said shelving means comprises at least two parallellayers of shelves, a first of said layers placed below a second of saidlayers.
 7. A container as in claim 6 wherein said second layer comprisesa shelf fixed with respect to said carriage and at least one other shelfpivotally secured to said fixed shelf for providing easy access to saidfirst layer.
 8. A container as in claim 5 wherein said carriage furthercomprises risers secured to and spacing said shelving means, at leastsome of said isolation means secured to said risers for connection tosaid compartment.
 9. A container as in claim 6 wherein at least a firstgroup of said isolation means is secured to said first layer of shelves.10. A container as in claim 9 wherein sad carriage Further comprisesrisers secured to and spacing said shelving means, at least a secondgroup of said isolation means secured to said risers, said first groupand said second group of said isolation means extending in orthogonaldirections with respect to each other.
 11. A container as in claim 10wherein said isolation means each comprises coils of stranded wirecable, each of said coils having an axis extending in one of theorthogonal directions and interconnecting adjacent points on saidrespective risers and first layer and on said compartment.
 12. Acontainer as in claim 4 further including dessicant means secured to theinterior of said compartment to control the humidity therein.
 13. Acontainer as in claim 4 further including valve means in saidcompartment for controlling the pressure and the atmosphere within saidcompartment.
 14. A container as in claim 4 wherein said compartmentcomprises a base, a top, and wall enclosure means sealed and affixedtogether.
 15. A container as in claim 14 wherein said base includesopening means therein for receipt of tines of a forklift truck.
 16. Acontainer as in claim 14 further including handle means secured to theexterior of said wall enclosure means for lifting of said compartment,said carriage and to equipment.
 17. A container as in claim 14 furtherincluding tie-down means secured to the exterior of said wall enclosuremeans for tying down said compartment, said carriage, and saidequipment.
 18. A container as in claim 14 wherein said wall enclosuremeans is releasably secured to said base for providing access to saidcarriage.
 19. A container as in claim 14 wherein said wall enclosuremeans includes at least one door frame having a sill and sealing meanstherein, and further including door means placeable within said frame insaid sill and sealingly engageable with said sealing means.
 20. Acontainer as in claim 19 further including latching means cooperablewith said door and said door frame for locking said door to said frame.21. A container as in claim 14 further including mating protuberancesand recesses on said top and said base for engagement between tops andbases of stacked compartments.
 22. A container as in claim 14 whereinsaid wall enclosure means includes a pair of parallely positioned sidewalls and a pair of parallely positioned door frames secured to saidside walls, and further including doors securable in said frames forproviding access to opposed ends of said carriage.
 23. A container as inclaim 22 wherein said carriage comprises at least two parallel layers ofshelves parallely positioned with respect to said base and having tiedown apparatus securing the equipment to said layers and risersconnecting said layers together, and wherein at least a first group ofsaid isolation means at each end of said carriage is secured between oneof said layers and a portion of one of said door frames and at least asecond group of said isolation means at each end of said carriage issecured to at least some of said risers, said first group and saidsecond group of said isolation means extending orthogonally with respectto each other.
 24. A container as in claim 23 wherein each of said doorframes includes a web angularly disposed with respect to said top, baseand wall enclosure means to provide beveled edges to said compartment,said web being recessed towards the interior of said compartment, andfurther including tie down and lift up means in said recessed web forenabling transport of the container.